Service and Immersion Break Trips

Updated, 1/11/18

St. Thomas Aquinas frequently offers several options for service and immersion trips around the country and, at times, internationally. Each trip is different in length and character and is designed to offer a unique immersion experience. Each has an element of service, but immersion in culture is the primary goal. We try very hard to keep these trips affordable. Click here for application. Applications are not considered complete until a $150 deposit has been received. Deposits may be made in cash or by check in the parish office, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Arrangements can be made to accept credit/debit cards, however a 5% charge is added to the total to cover processing fees.

Full participation in the fundraiser, Tom's Event, on Saturday, January 27th, including selling raffle tickets and attending two of your choice of three or more mandatory work dates, is REQUIRED to receive a discount for trip.

In 2018, the trips include:

Spring Break Trips

___ Appalachia: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Williamsburg, KY. March 9-18, 2018. Overnight on the way to and from in Central Illinois. Do local home repair projects, work at thrift store, experience life and culture of Appalachia. May include visit to Cumberland Falls for hiking. Estimated discounted cost per participant, $200.

___ Hurricane Relief Trip, Houston, TX, March 11-18, 2018 (midnight Sunday - late evening Saturday). This 6 day, 5 night experience, will be in the Houston area. It will include transportation by motor coach from Ames to the mission site and back. All meals, lodging and materials will be included. Estimated discounted cost per participant will be $400.

___ Monastic Experience, Conception Abbey and Clyde Monastery, Conception/Clyde, MO. March 11-16, 2018. Visit men’s and women’s Benedictine communities to learn about Monastic life and ministries. This trip may not involve a great deal of service, but more of an immersion into monastic life and ministry; both contemplative and apostolic. Estimated discounted cost per participant, $150.

___ The Pilgrimage, Washington, DC, March 10-17, 2018. Canceled.

___ FULL. San Isidro, Nicaragua. In partnership with EOS, International, March 9-19, 2018. This trip requires travel on the Thursday/Friday before and the Monday after spring break, including driving to and from Chicago to catch flights. Immerse yourself in Nicaraguan culture including home stays, learning about alternative technologies that improve lives, and experience local parish life. May include weekend trips to an ecological reserve and a beach. Estimated discounted cost per participant, $700.

To learn more about the trips or to apply to participate, contact Shari Reilly, shari@staparish.net or text/call 515-509-6851.